ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Culture
Two-day International Seminar on Influence of Swami Vivekananda and Guatam Buddha on Culture and Civilization of South East Asia inaugurated at MAKAIAS
Kolkata, March 15, 2019
A two-day International Seminar on “Influence of Swami Vivekananda and Guatam Buddha on Culture and Civilization of South East Asia” organized by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies  was inaugurated here in Kolkata today.
Speaking at the inaugural session, Shri Ganbold. G, Ambassador of Mongolia in India stated that forums like this help us exchange views and strengthen our cultural and spiritual ties. The historical connection between India and Mongolia is for over 2500 years. There were historical, cultural and religious connections and beside these, now, there is economic, commercial and educational relationship between both the countries, he informed and added that Gautam Buddha’s teachings have immensely influenced lives of Mongolian people.
Dr. M. Medhankara Thero from Maha Bodhi Society of India and Swami Kamalasthnanda, Principal, RKMVC College, Rahara, Kolkata, stated that Swamin Vivekananda as a spiritual leader of Hinduism had very deep veneration to Lord Buddha. Both believed in the theory of non-violence, karma vada, moral principles and the theory of liberation.
Scholars from Vietnam, Mongolia, Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Philippines, Myanmar along with scholars from India participated in the seminar.
Dr. Srikant Mohapatra, Vice-Chancellor, Odisha State Open University; Professor K.C.Baral from English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad; Dr. Sujit K. Ghosh, Chairman, MAKAIAS and Dr. G. Maheshwari, Director-in-Charge, MAKAIAS among others attended the inaugural session.
Ministry of Civil Aviation
78 New Routes Identified and Approved Under Phase 1 of UDAN 4.0
100 Airports/Heliports/Water Aerodromes to Be Developed By 2024 Under RCS UDAN
After three rounds of bidding under Regional Connectivity Scheme - UdeDeshkaAamNagrik , pre-COVID, 688 valid routes were awarded, out of which 281 routes were operationalized. After suspension of domestic flight operations from 25th March, 2020 to 24th May, 2020, domestic air services including RCS operations have recommenced with effect from 25.05.2020. Airlines are resuming the commenced RCS routes in a calibrated manner.Further, 78 new routes have been identified and approved under 1st phase of UDAN 4.0. Airports Authority of India, the Implementing Agency is in the process of awarding these routes to the Selected Airline Operators . Click here for details of the routes awarded and commenced under RCS-UDAN.
Some of the reasons for non-operationalization of few UDAN routes are:
i) Lack of infrastructure at civil airports due to non-availability of land, delay related to compliance of the regulations by the airport operators, lack of road connectivity to the airports.
ii) Non-completion of the process involved in obtaining Scheduled Commuter Operators Permit by the Airlines.
Due to COVID-19, commencement of civil work of airports got delayed. Also, due to suspension of domestic operations, overall commencement of new routes got adversely affected.
4th round of bidding has commenced on 3rd December, 2019. 100 airports/heliports/water aerodromes are to be developed by 2024, awarded in various rounds of bidding under RCS-UDAN.
This information was given in a written reply by Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of State, I/C, Civil Aviation, in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi reviews preparedness as Super Cyclonic Storm ‘AMPHAN’ set to make landfall on 20th May 2020
Cyclone ‘AMPHAN’ has developed into a super cyclone in the Bay of Bengal today. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi reviewed the preparedness of States and Central Ministries/Agencies concerned to deal with the situation arising out of the Super Cyclonic Storm ‘AMPHAN’. Union Minister for Home Affairs, Shri Amit Shah was present, along with senior officers of Government of India and officers of IMD, NDMA and NDRF.
The India Meteorological Department  has informed that the Super Cyclone is expected to make a landfall on West Bengal coast in the afternoon of 20th May as an extremely severe cyclonic storm with wind speeds ranging up to 195 kmph. It would be causing heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in the coastal districts of the State.
In West Bengal, districts of East Medinipur, South & North 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly, and Kolkata are likely to be worst affected. The storm is also likely to impact coastal districts of North Odisha including Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Bhadrak and Balasore.
IMD has warned of storm surge of about 4-5 meters height above the astronomical tide, which would inundate low lying coastal areas of South & North 24 Parganas, and 3-4 meters height in East Medinipur, districts of West Bengal at the time of landfall. The cyclone has the potential to cause extensive damage in the Coastal Districts of West Bengal.
Prime Minister has directed that all necessary measures be taken to complete evacuation of people from areas in cyclone path and maintain adequate quantities of essential supplies.
All concerned have been advised to make adequate preparations to ensure maintenance of essential services such as Power, Telecommunications in the event of damages caused to them and also to review their preparedness well in time and ensure quick resumption of services in the event of any disruption.
Indian Coast Guard and the Navy have deployed ships and helicopters for relief and rescue operations. Army and Air Force units in these States have also been put on standby.
NDRF has deployed 25 teams in Odisha and West Bengal. Additionally 12 teams have been kept on standby. The teams are equipped with the requisite materials like boats, tree cutters, telecom equipment etc.
IMD has been issuing regular bulletins with latest forecast to all the concerned States. MHA is also in continuous touch with the State Government.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Total Rs 56,059.54 crores DBT to farmers' account during current RMS 2021-22
91% of the total due payment, Rs 23,402 crores already transferred in to Punjab farmers account through DBT
About 36.19 Lakh Wheat farmers benefitted from the ongoing RMS procurement Operations
During Rabi Marketing Season 2021-22, Mission "One Nation, One MSP, One DBT " has been given a firm shape as for the First Time, farmers of Punjab & Haryana have started receiving payments directly into their bank accounts against sale of their Wheat crop. Now DBT has been implemented across the country.
Wheat procurement is going on smoothly in the procuring States & UTs of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Chandigarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and other States with purchase of over 353.99 LMT upto 12th May 2021 against 268.91 LMT during corresponding period of last year.
Upto 12.5.2021, about Rs 56,059.54 crores has been directly transferred to farmers' account in the country, out of which Rs 23,402 crores, which is 91% of due payment, have been released to the farmers of Punjab.
Out of the total purchase of 353.98 LMT wheat, major contribution has been made by Punjab- 131.14LMT , Haryana- 81.07 LMT  and Madhya Pradesh -103.71 LMT  upto 12thMay 2021. This season Punjab & Haryana has surpassed last year’s procurement fig as well as current target/estimate and also achieved all time high record procurement.
About 36.19 Lakh Wheat farmers have already been benefitted from the ongoing RMS procurement Operations with MSP value of about Rs. 69,912.61 Crore.
Prime Minister's Office
PM’s departure statement ahead of his visit to South Africa and Greece
I am visiting the Republic of South Africa from 22-24 August 2023 at the invitation of H.E Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa, to attend the 15th BRICS Summit being held in Johannesburg under the South African Chairmanship.
BRICS has been pursuing a strong cooperation agenda across various sectors. We value that BRICS has become a platform for discussing and deliberating on issues of concern for the entire Global South, including development imperatives and reform of the multilateral system. This Summit will provide a useful opportunity for BRICS to identify future areas of cooperation and review institutional development.
During my stay in Johannesburg, I will also participate in BRICS–Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue event that will be held as part of the BRICS Summit activities. I look forward to interacting with a number of guest countries that have been invited to participate in this event.
I also look forward to holding bilateral meetings with some of the Leaders present in Johannesburg.
From South Africa, I will travel to Athens, Greece on 25 August 2023 at the invitation of H.E. Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of Greece. This will be my first visit to this ancient land. I have the honour to be the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Greece after 40 years.
Contacts between our two civilizations stretch back over two millennia. In modern times, our ties have been strengthened by shared values of democracy, rule of law and pluralism. Cooperation in diverse sectors such as trade and investment, defence, and cultural and people-to-people contacts have been bringing our two countries closer.
I look forward to my visit to Greece opening a new chapter in our multifacted relationship.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Sikkim State has Proved Small is Beautiful: Governor, WB
Kolkata, May 16, 2023
The governor, West Bengal, Dr C V Ananda Bose today highly praised Sikkim today in commemoration of the Foundation Day of this small State. Dr Bose uttered the words penned by the renowned English litterateur William Shakespeare to describe Sikkim in totality in a small function organised at Raj Bhavan today. He said, in the words of Shakespeare, ‘Small is beautiful’ and Sikkim has proved it. He even recited a poem penned by him in order to honour the occasion.
In his poetic version, the Governor also praised this small State as heaven on earth and the place where God is all the time and dedicated the poem to the people of Sikkim.
In his address, Dr Bose said, despite being small, Sikkim has proved its strength, when it has been described as the only organic State in the entire country. He said, nature belongs to the future and in the words of Shakespeare, “In nature’s infinite book of secrecy/ A little I can read". The Governor described Sikkim as a true lover of nature and stated, Mother Teresa once said, all can do small things with great love and Sikkim has truly done that. According to the Governor Sikkim is endowed with enormous potentials so far as organic planting is concerned, or implementation of the technology missions is concerned. He spoke of the Sustainable Development Goals  in environmental protection and the efforts of Sikkim on the same and appreciated the State’s continuous attempts to achieve large things with gusto.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
GOVERNOR SMT. TAMILISAI SOUNDARARAJAN AND UNION MINISTER SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY VISIT ROB EXHIBITION ON TELUGU FREEDOM FIGHTERS
UNION MINISTER APPEALS TO PEOPLE TO MAKE RASHTRIYA SANSKRITI MAHOTSAV
A GRAND SUCCESS.
Governor of Telangana Smt. Tamilisai Soundararajan and Union Minister for Culture, Tourism and DONER Shri G. Kishan Reddy today visited the photo exhibition on Telugu freedom fighters put up by the Regional Outreach Bureau , Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, Hyderabad at NTR Stadium where the Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav is being held from 1st to 3rd April, 2022. The exhibition highlights the role of Telugu freedom fighters who fought against the British rule and the then Nizam of princely state of Hyderabad. The Union Minister explained to the Governor the role of unsung heroes like Kumuram Bheem in fighting against the Nizam rule. About 50 panels were put up in the exhibition which include themes like Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat.
Later speaking to the media, the Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy said the exhibitions on freedom fighters are being organised in various parts of the country as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to celebration 75 years of India’s Independence and to recollect the sacrifices made by our freedom fighters and especially the unsung heroes and make the present generation inspire from them. Referring to the three-day Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav, being organised by the Union Ministry of Culture at NTR Stadium, the Union Minister appealed to the people to make it a grand success. About 1000 artistes from all parts of the country are participating in the three-day cultural festival which will be inaugurated by the Vice President of India Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu
Ministry of Science & Technology
Indigenous knowledge shared by Gujarat-based farmer can combat Mastitis, an ailment of dairy cattle
Utilising indigenous knowledge system shared by a farmer from Gujarat, a poly-herbal and cost-effective medicine has been developed to treat Mastitis, an infectious disease of dairy cattle.
The medicine called Mastirak Gel, developed by National Innovation Foundation  has been commercialized through the industry partner Rakesh Pharmaceuticals. It can be purchased at medical stores supplying veterinary medicines in various parts of the country.
Mastitis is a common infectious disease, which affects farm productivity due to fall in milk quality, thus impacting income-generating activities. Treatment of infected animals with antibiotics poses a public health hazard. Indigenous knowledge systems can offer a more sustainable alternative, and their scientific evaluation is necessary to integrate these medications in the health care system. Continuous expansion in development of technologies and products is required towards management of mastitis with minimal use of antibiotic therapy.
To this end, NIF, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology , Government of India, which reinvigorates indigenous technologies based on farmer’s wisdom, has identified this unique herbal composition shared by a farmer from Gujarat for control of mastitis among farm animals. A gel preparation has been developed for topical application over the affected udder surface, and a patent has been filed for this composition shared by Shri Becharbhai Samatbhai Devgania.
It was found that the medication could minimize Somatic Cell Count  and improve the udder health. The Somatic Cell Count is a parameter noted globally, and efforts are fine-tuned in reducing the SCC in milk at standard limit. The polyherbal medicine reduced inflammation which is detrimental to udder. This critical analysis of the indigenous knowledge system led to development of value-added commercial product Mastirak with the support of industry partner Rakesh Pharmaceuticals which is currently manufacturing and distributing it in different parts of the country.
Dairy owners in eight states of the country --- Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh have benefited by adopting Mastirak-antimastitis herbal medication. It has reduced the use of antibiotics and helped in the cost-effective management of the disease.
For more details, contact Tushar Garg .
Department of Space
GSAT-11 Launch Rescheduled
The launch of GSAT-11 scheduled during May 2018 from Kourou, French Guyana is rescheduled. The revised launch date will be communicated subsequently.
Special Service and Features
Special Guests from Various Walks Of Life Invited to Attend the Independence Day Celebrations in New Delhi
Sarpanches of Vibrant Villages, Teachers, Nurses, Farmers, Fishermen and Beneficiaries of Various Flagship Programmes among Invitees
Shri Balasubramanyan K. P., an Artisan from Kerala among Special Invitees; Says he is thankful for the opportunity
Wayanad: August 11, 2023
Shri Balasubramanyan K. P. is Potter from Thomattuchal village of Wayanad District in the state of Kerala. A beneficiary of the PM VIKAS Scheme, he will witness the Independence Day celebrations at the historic Red Fort, Delhi on August 15, 2023 as a Special Guest. Around 60 artisans are among the around 1,700 persons who have been invited to listen to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s address to the nation from the ramparts of the iconic monument. The initiative to invite the people from all walks of life, across India, and be a part of the celebrations has been taken by the Government in line with its vision of ‘Jan Bhagidari’.
Speaking to us, Shri Balasubramanyan appreciated the initiative saying that it was the most fortunate moment in his life. “This is an amazing experience for me. I am thankful to the Prime Minister and the MSME Ministry for giving me such an opportunity. I am also thankful to my family and my village for the support they have given me.”
PM VIKAS aims to improve the livelihoods of the minorities, particularly the artisan communities, using the components of skill development, education, women leadership & entrepreneurship. These components complement each other in the ultimate objective of the scheme to increase the incomes of the beneficiaries and provide support by facilitating credit and market linkages.
Ministry of Defence
Air Marshal C Hari Kumar PVSM AVSM VM VSM ADC
Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, WAC IAF Retires
Air Marshal Chandrashekharan Hari Kumar PVSM AVSM VM VSM ADC, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command Indian Air Force retired on
28 February 2019 after an illustrious career spanning over 39 yrs.
The Air Marshal was commissioned in Flying Branch of Indian Air Force in the year 1979. He has been a Qualified Flying Instructor and a Fighter Combat Leader having more than 3300 hours of flying to his credit. He graduated from Defence Services Staff College and National Defence College. During his meritorious service to the nation, he had done instructional tenures at Fighter Training Wing, Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment  and College of Air Warfare. He has commanded a MiG-21 Sqn, TACDE and a frontline fighter base. His staff appointments included Ops 1A, Air-1 at Headquarter Western Air Command and Deputy Director Air Staff Inspection, Director Operations , Assistant Chief of the Air Staff Operations  at Air HQ and Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarter South Western Air Command.
The Air Marshal was the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Air Command prior to his appointment as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command.
For his distinguished service to the Nation, he was awarded Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Vayu Sena Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal and appointed Honorary Air Force ADC to President of India on 01 Jan 2017.
The Air Marshal celebrated his sixtieth birthday on 26 February and remained a soldier till the last day of his service. He personally supervised the planning and successful execution of the IAF strikes in Balakot sector. A day prior to his retirement, the officer personally directed the fighters that repulsed the raid from PAF on forward posts of the Indian Army. Both operations received nation wide accolades and personal appreciation from the highest level of leadership.
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Ministry of Power
Creation of Carbon Markets
The Energy Conservation Amendment Bill has been passed by the Parliament. The Bill includes provisions for putting in place a carbon market. As per the framework laid down by COP; if any carbon credit is sold outside the country; it cannot be used for meeting the NDCs of the originating country. Carbon credit will on priority be used within the country to meet our NDCs. In specific cases; where carbon credits are created by high technology expensive assets, these may be permitted to be externally marketed by the National Designated Authority created by Government which shall exercise and perform functions that inter-alia include to receive projects for evaluation and approval of host party.
The Generation Expansion Planning studies carried out by the Central Electricity Authority  for 2029-30 reveals that the share of non-fossil fuel based generation capacity in the total installed capacity of the Country is likely to increase from around 42% as on Oct, 2022 to more than 64% by 2029-30. This would reduce the dependence on fossil fuel in electricity generation.
The fossil fuel-based power plants are mandated to comply with the emission norms prescribed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change  from time to time.
This information was given by Shri R.K Singh, Union Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation
World Bank approves Rs. 6,000 crore Atal Bhujal Yojana
The World Bank has approved Atal Bhujal Yojana , a Rs.6000 crore Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. The scheme is to be implemented over a period of five years from 2018-19 to 2022-23, with World Bank assistance. The scheme proposal has already been recommended by the Expenditure Finance Committee and the Ministry will be seeking Cabinet approval for the project shortly.
Atal Bhujal Yojana has been formulated by the Ministry to address the criticality of ground water resources in a major part of the country. The scheme aims to improve ground water management in priority areas in the country through community participation. The priority areas identified under the scheme fall in the states of Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. These States represent about 25% of the total number of over-exploited, critical and semi-critical blocks in terms of ground water in India. They also cover two major types of groundwater systems found in India - alluvial and hard rock aquifers- and have varying degrees of institutional readiness and experience in groundwater management.
Funds under the scheme will be provided to the states for strengthening the institutions responsible for ground water governance, as well as for encouraging community involvement for improving ground water management to foster behavioural changes that promote conservation and efficient use of water. The scheme will also facilitate convergence of ongoing Government schemes in the states by incentivizing their focussed implementation in identified priority areas. Implementation of the scheme is expected to benefit nearly 8350 Gram Panchayats in 78 districts in these states. Funds under the scheme will be made available to the participating states as Grants.
Ensuring active community participation in groundwater management is among the major objectives of the scheme. The scheme envisages active participation of the communities in various activities such as formation of Water User Associations, monitoring and disseminating ground water data, water budgeting, preparation and implementation of Gram-Panchayat wise water security plans and IEC activities related to sustainable ground water management. Community participation is also expected to facilitate bottom-up groundwater planning process to improve the effectiveness of public financing and align implementation of various government programs on groundwater in the participating s0tates.
The implementation of the scheme is expected to have several positive outcomes like better understanding of the ground water regime, focused and integrated community based approach for addressing issues related to ground water depletion, sustainable ground water management through convergence of on-going and new schemes, adoption of efficient water use practices to reduce ground water use for irrigation and augmentation of ground water resources in targeted areas.